Events
Palm Springs has many events that come around every year at the same time. Here is a list of most of them. Check the websites to confirm exact dates. For a daily calendar of local events, check here.
January
Palm Springs International Film Festival
January 6-17, 2022 – A star-studded award gala kicks off a week of new film screenings and events. Directors and stars host many Q&A panels after the movies.
February
Tour de Palm Springs
February 12, 2022 – A charity bike ride with class and distance categories for every skill level.
Art Palm Springs
TBS – Mid-February 2022 – A weekend-long contemporary art show at the Palm Springs Convention center, with a VIP gala on Thursday night.
Modernism Week
February 17-27, 2022 – A celebration of Palm Springs rich mid-century architecture and all things “modern”. Featuring home tours, parties, and a great three hour city tour on a double decker bus.
Riverside County Fair and Date Festival
TBS – Mid-February 2022 – A large county fair with rides and food booths, with an emphasis on the local date harvest. If you’ve ever had a hankering to try deep fried foods on a stick, this is your chance!
Int'l Bear Convergence
February 24-28, 2022 – A four day event for gay bears and admirers, with pool parties, pop-up shops, and concerts.
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
TBS – late February 2022 – Held twice a year, in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
Greek Festival
TBS – late February 2022 – Weekend event in Palm Desert, with music, food, and dancing,
March
El Paseo Fashion Week
March 19-25, 2022 – A fashion show that highlights avant-garde designs and top designers from the fashion world. With exclusive trunk shows, runway events and parties.
Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival
March 25-27, 2022 – Tasting event with more than 60 restaurants and 40 wineries, breweries and distilleries. Music, classes, and more.
April
Indian Wells Arts Festival
TBS – Early April 2022 – Jazz music, cocktails, and the works of over 200 artists. At the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens.
Opera in the Park
TBS – Early April 2022 – A free Sunday event with some great up-and-coming opera singers. It’s often nice weather for a day in the park, but bring some shade or purchase a VIP ticket.
Coachella Music Festival
April 15-17 & 22-24, 2022 – Huge two-weekend music and art festival in Indio, with events and parties in the area in between weekends.
Stagecoach
April 29 – May 1, 2022 – Like Coachella Music Festival but with country acts, mainstream or relatively unknown ranging from folk, mainstream country, bluegrass, roots rock, and alternative country.
White Party
April 29 – May 1, 2022 – Weekend-long gay dance party with multiple events, pool parties, and celebrity headliners.
May
Palm Springs Restaurant Week
TBS – Usually starts late May into June – Dozens of restaurants in the Coachella Valley participate with special 3 course pre-fixe menus. A great time to try out a new restaurant.
June
ShortFest Film Festival
June 22-28, 2021 – International festival of short films with screenings, panels, and Q&A’s by the actors and directors.
August
Splash House
August 13-15 and 20-22, 2021 – Hosted by multiple hotels, poolside parties with DJ’s.
September
Cinema Diverse
September 16-30, 2021 – LGBTQ+ Film Festival featuring films, filmmakers, and other forms of LGBTQ+ art and live performances.
The Dinah
September 29 – October 3, 2021 – Five-day weekend getaway and music festival catering to the lesbian community. Featuring pool parties, night entertainment, live concerts, comedy shows, and sports.
October
BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament
October 4–17, 2021 – Acclaimed tennis tournament with celebrity sports figures in Indian Wells. The tournament is a Masters 1000 event on the men’s tour and is a Premier Mandatory event on the women’s tour.
Modernism Fall Preview
October 14-17, 2021 – A scaled down version of the big February Modernism Week event. A good chance to do the bus tours and some home tours and parties without the crowds.
Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours
October 16-17 & 23-24, 2021 – Two weekends of open homes and studios in the hi-desert from Morongo Valley to Twentynine Palms. If you like the high desert area, this is a great chance to meet some locals and see some great (and not so great) art.
Oasis Music Festival
October 21-24, 2021 – An all-genre festival with performances that will take place throughout the City of Palm Springs.
November
Palm Springs Gay Pride
November 6-7, 2021 – A celebration of the LGBT community featuring a free festival downtown with booths, food, and entertainment. Parade is Sunday down Palm Canyon. Everybody welcome.
La Quinta Art Celebration
November 11-14, 2021 – More than 200 artists, fourmet food court, cocktails and live entertainment.
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
November 19-21 2021 – Held twice a year in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
December
Palm Springs Festival of Lights
TBS – Early December 2021 – Fun and very popular Christmas parade through downtown Palm Springs. Some restaurants offer premium seating on their patios.
International Tamale Festival
TBS – Early December 2021 – An outdoor festival in Indio celebrating tamales. From sweet to savory. Look for the booths with the longest lines to know which are best.
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